Brianna Goff’s home run highlighted a 9-run second inning that carried Pender’s Lady Patriots to a 15-2 Four County Conference softball victory at East Bladen Tuesday night.
Pender pushed across a run in the first, then broke the game open with the big second inning that featured 8 hits and included the Goff homer and doubles by pitcher Gracie Vincent, Katie Riverbark and Alana Buie.
In the Lady Eagle second, sophmore Faith Johnson drew a walk, and freshman Olivia Hollingsworth belted a single to centerfield. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch but were stranded at second and third base.
Pender added a run in the third and four more in the fourth.
Hollingsworth smacked a single to right in the Lady Eagle fourth and advanced on a wild pitch. Senior Lauren Merritt beat out an infield hit and stole second base, but both runners were left on base.
The Lady Eagles cracked the scoring column with 2 runs in the fifth. Heustess beat out an infield hit, and Scott reached base on an error. Johnson ripped a double down the leftfield line that drove in Heustess and Scott.
Goff batted 2-4 with a double and a home run to lead the 15-hit Pender attack. Teammates Vincent, Riverbark, Buie, and Jenna Harrell had 2 hits each.
Hollingsworth batted a perfect 2-2 to lead the Lady Eagles. “Olivia had a good night at the plate,” said East Bladen Coach Patty Evers. “It was good to see that. I am happy with the way we swung the bats. We just need to make the plays in the field – that comes with youth. We’ll get better.”
Heustess finished 2-3 with a run scored. Johnson doubled home 2 runs, and Merritt added a single.
Heustess went the distance in the circle for the Lady Eagles.
The Lady Eagles, now 1-2 in the league and 2-3 overall, will travel to league-leading Heide Trask tonight (Wednesday) for a 6 p.m. game.
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